Our research team developed the Interact Tool to improve the quality of communication between patients with communication disabilities and primary care clinicians. The free-to-use tool is available here: webapps.ccts.uic.edu/INTERACT/

🚗 Webinar Alert: Accessible Parking Overview Webinar 🅿️ 📆 Tuesday, July 7, 2026 🕐 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM ET Join us for practical guidance to ensure your parking meets ADA requirements. #ADA #accessibleparking 👉Register Now: events.yangtaninstitute.org/e/11379/regi...

📢TODAY at 2:30 PM EST: Join the DEC Team to learn how to set up system-level processes that improve healthcare access for patients with disabilities. Register for the webinar hosted by the @pacificada.adata.org here: www.adapacific.org/event/operat...

Chapter 4 of DEC's Implementation Guide includes sample responses to clinicians and providers concerned about meeting patients' communication needs within tight time constraints. www.disabilityequitycollaborative.org/effective-co...

Do you work at a hospital, health system, clinic, or other HCO? Are you interested in improving care quality and patient safety? Join the DEC team this week to learn how you can facilitate equal access to care for your patients with disabilities. www.adapacific.org/event/operat...

Sign up for DEC's newsletter to receive the latest updates on our work to provide evidence-based knowledge, practical solutions, and tools to improve disability access in healthcare: lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/sr4pJLs/d...

Join DEC and the @pacificada.adata.org on June 25 for a free webinar to learn how DEC's Implementation Guide can support your healthcare organization in delivering equal access to care for patients with disabilities. Register here: www.adapacific.org/event/operat...

Insurance plan limitations, unmet social needs, inaccessible clinics, and a shortage of disability-competent providers are just a few of the barriers New Yorkers with disabilities face when seeking care. Read the full report here: icsny.org/resources/ne...

The Autism Support Initiative at @bmchealthsystem.bsky.social partners with healthcare practices across the country to strengthen the care they provide to autistic patients. Learn more here: www.bmc.org/visiting-us/...

📘Whether you are the director of a large health system's accessibility program or a practice manager just beginning to think about accessibility at your clinic, DEC's Implementation Guide can support your work. www.disabilityequitycollaborative.org/implementati...

Unfortunately, we have had to cancel our research presentation for today. We will reschedule for a later date.

💡The AASPIRE Healthcare Toolkit offers practical information, worksheets, and a personalized healthcare accommodations report to help make primary care visits smoother for autistic adults. Check it out! researchautism.org/healthcareto...

📢NEXT WEEK: Join us for our June research presentation, "Advancing Cancer Screening Among Americans Who Use Sign Language" on Wednesday, 6/3, at 12:00 PM EST. Register here: nyulangone.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

🔔Reminder for HCOs: Disability accommodations are not universal design features. Accommodations are modifications requested by a patient with a disability that are necessary to access care. In contrast, accessibility features are available to all patients and are not requested.

Today is Global Accessibility Awareness Day! Digital accessibility is a core component of delivering accessible healthcare to patients with disabilities. DEC's website lists resources for HCOs to improve their digital accessibility. www.disabilityequitycollaborative.org/healthcare-r...

ICYMI: DEC's new Implementation Guide equips healthcare organizations with resources to build a disability accessibility program, document disability status in the EHR, provide accommodations, and implement effective communication practices: www.disabilityequitycollaborative.org/implementati...

Federal requirements to provide equal access to healthcare for people with disabilities applies in jails, detention centers, and prisons, too. Check out this fact sheet from @adata.org to learn more: adata.org/factsheet/he...

It's National Speech-Language-Hearing Month! Effective communication is essential when caring for people with communication disabilities. DEC's Implementation Guide provides a roadmap for HCOs to integrate effective communication in operations. www.disabilityequitycollaborative.org/effective-co...

Join DEC Wednesday, June 3rd at 12:00 PM EST for our second research presentation of 2026, "Advancing Cancer Screening Among Americans Who Use Sign Language". Register here: nyulangone.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

The American Medical Association released a free, CME-eligible video series on providing clinical care to patients with disabilities. You do not have to be an AMA member to access this resource - just sign up for a free account on AMA's Ed Hub! www.ama-assn.org/press-center...

Check out this article highlighting how documenting patient disability status & accommodation needs in the EHR is crucial to provide equitable healthcare to patients with disabilities. DEC’s Implementation Guide supports HCOs in this important work. mcd.org/screening-fo...

‼️NOW AVAILABLE: Accessible Healthcare for People with Disabilities: An Implementation Guide for Healthcare Organizations‼️ www.disabilityequitycollaborative.org/implementati...

The 2024 final rule was not a new requirement—web accessibility is mandated by the ADA. State and local governments have had decades to comply. Delaying the deadline for another year excludes people with disabilities from accessing critical information. www.aapd.com/aapd-stateme...

This month is Limb Loss & Limb Difference Awareness Month. People with limb loss and limb difference often face barriers when accessing healthcare. Check out these reminders from the Amputee Coalition to ensure your healthcare facility is accessible. #LLLDAM2026 amputee-coalition.org/resources/fi...

DEC's Implementation Guide includes 10 general resources to assist healthcare organizations in implementing any kind of accessibility initiative. Appendices include: 🗣️Appropriate Disability Language 📜Federal Requirements ✍️Policy Writing Guidance 📊Project Planning Tips

Recording disability status as a demographic in the EHR is critical for HCOs to address health disparities and provide accommodations to patients with disabilities. DEC’s public comment for USCDI v7 supports this standard. Sign on by the end of today: forms.gle/DwfRXieHa5aR...

📢Public comments on USCDI v7 are due April 13th. Review and sign on to support DEC’s public comment in support of the PACIO Project's recommendations to record patient Disability Status as a demographic in the EHR before COB Friday, April 10th. forms.gle/DwfRXieHa5aR...

Discover actionable strategies to enhance your website’s accessibility without requiring a complete redesign in this insightful article from @amlibraries.bsky.social: bit.ly/4rJyWWh

🌟April is #AutismAcceptanceMonth! DEC is committed to providing healthcare organizations with the knowledge and tools they need to ensure their patients with autism have equal access to healthcare.

Thrilled to see the NIH Strategic Plan for Disability Health Research. We look forward to partnering with our stakeholders on person-centered research, interventions, and resources that advance health equity and accessibility for people with disabilities. dpcpsi.nih.gov/disabilityhe...

This #DDAM2026, we're highlighting resources from other organizations working to improve healthcare quality & accessibility for patients with #IDD. The HealthMatters Program offers health promotion programs for people with IDD & their supports. healthmattersprogram.org

Join DEC's Standards & Guidelines workgroup ahead of our first meeting next Wednesday, April 1 at 12:00 PM EST. The workgroup collaborates to develop actionable guidelines and resources for implementing accessible healthcare. All are welcome! forms.gle/kyUFQnMFBKX7...

🗣️Effective communication is a shared organizational responsibility that should be embedded into routine clinical workflows. To be successful, consider including people across different departments or units on your initiative's implementation and leadership team.

✨DEC supports individuals, healthcare organizations, policy makers, advocates, researchers, and professional organizations working to address the health disparities experienced by patients with all types of disabilities. Learn more and get involved here: www.disabilityequitycollaborative.org/about/

The ADA National Network created a Service Animal Resource Hub is designed to answer all your questions about service animals and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)! Check it out here: https://adata.org/service-animal-resource-hub #ADA #ServiceAnimals

This #DDAM2026, we're highlighting resources from other organizations working to improve healthcare quality and accessibility for patients with #IDD. NICHE helps medical and dental schools develop curriculum to train students how to care for patients with IDD. www.nichecurriculum.org

Patients may have questions when asked about their disability status and accommodation needs in the healthcare setting, such as why the information is being collected. Below is a sample response for staff included in Chapter 2 of DEC's Implementation Guide.

This Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, we're highlighting resources to improve healthcare quality and accessibility for patients with IDD. VUMC's IDD Toolkit provides information for patients & clinicians in the primary care setting. #DDAM2026 iddtoolkit.vkcsites.org

The Advancing Disability-Inclusive Health curriculum from the University of Illinois College of Medicine is a great free resource for medical students, healthcare students, and practicing providers to learn how to improve care and healthcare experiences for patients with disabilities. adih.uic.edu

DEC's Implementation Guide includes a screening tool to identify gaps in accessible care and services beyond ADA compliance at each stage of the medical encounter: 📞Pre-visit 🅿️Navigating to the facility ✍️Check-in & waiting room 🩺Clinical encounter/interaction 📄Post visit

Thank you @acpimphysicians.bsky.social for recognizing disparities experienced by people with disabilities. The recommendations—including strengthening facility accessibility, disability documentation, and data collection—are critical to improve care. www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/...

It's Patient Safety Awareness Week! Patients with disabilities are more likely to experience adverse events & preventable harm in healthcare. Reducing these disparities should be a part of any patient safety conversation. DEC can help you start: www.disabilityequitycollaborative.org/healthcare-r...

This @americanprogress.bsky.social toolkit is a great resource to understand HHS’s updated Section 504 rule. Looking for guidance on implementing the rule at your healthcare organization? Consider joining DEC’s Leaders workgroup (more info on our website). www.americanprogress.org/article/tool...

Did you know that the ADA National Network provides information, guidance, and training on how to implement the Americans with Disabilities Act? Get additional info and stay up to date with ADA National Network news by checking out our website: https://adata.org/ #ADA #Disability #PwD

Thank you to Dr. Jae Kennedy for an insightful presentation on medical ableism today. We are grateful to all those on the call for such an engaging discussion! ICYMI, check out the recording on our YouTube: youtu.be/K7Xp5p0v9k0?...

Today is World Hearing Day! DEC is committed to improving effective communication and accessibility in healthcare for people of all ages with hearing loss. This year's theme highlights childhood hearing loss. Learn more here: www.who.int/campaigns/wo...

📢TOMORROW: Join DEC's Research workgroup for a presentation from Dr. Jae Kennedy, "Disability Perspectives on the Adverse Effects of Medical Ableism" at 12:00 PM EST.

Building and sustaining an accessibility initiative at your organization requires system level engagement, including support from leadership. Below are individuals listed in DEC's Implementation Guide that could be included when gathering support for your initiative.

February is Low Vision Awareness Month! Below are a few resources in DEC's Implementation Guide for creating accessible print materials—such as after-visit summaries—for patients with low vision. ✍ www.section508.gov/develop/font... ✍ www.ndrn.org/accessibilit... ✍ www.acb.org/large-print-...

Join us NEXT WEEK on March 4th for our first research presentation of 2026! Access the Zoom link and view more information here: www.disabilityequitycollaborative.org/dec-research...